TractorChild97 158 #1 Posted January 3, 2021 So I have two damaged axles from precious busted bearing needles loose in the housing. I replaced them but those blew within a month. Thought about replacing the needle bearings with the same size bronze bushings. I know that other transaxles have them. Axles would run 80 plus. Bushings are 11 bucks. Thinking of trying it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WHX?? 48,834 #2 Posted January 3, 2021 Ney Ney Jose ... bushings will not take the place of needle bearings. You are doing something else wrong in replacing needle bearings. My guess is you aren't putting them in proper. More info needed. What bearings are you talking about? If you are pounding in needle bearings that will destroy them. They have to be pressed in with appropriate methods. 4 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TractorChild97 158 #3 Posted January 3, 2021 18 minutes ago, WHX24 said: Ney Ney Jose ... bushings will not take the place of needle bearings. You are doing something else wrong in replacing needle bearings. My guess is you aren't putting them in proper. More info needed. What bearings are you talking about? If you are pounding in needle bearings that will destroy them. They have to be pressed in with appropriate methods. The Bearings go in with very light tapping. Mainly using a piece of wood or socket to peck them in. They are Koyo brand. I replaced one because it busted a week after I had it. It lasted about a month. When I took the transaxle apart I rolled the other side with my finger just to check it and the bearing needles started to fall out. I noticed some GT craftsmans had bronze bushing so I was gonna try them out. I didnt think it would do any harm but maybe I was wrong. I can buy new bearings but I'm afraid it would last as long as my last replacement. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TractorChild97 158 #4 Posted January 3, 2021 42 minutes ago, WHX24 said: Ney Ney Jose ... bushings will not take the place of needle bearings. You are doing something else wrong in replacing needle bearings. My guess is you aren't putting them in proper. More info needed. What bearings are you talking about? If you are pounding in needle bearings that will destroy them. They have to be pressed in with appropriate methods. I notices sears transaxles also have bushing instead of needle bearings. I'll take no for an answer but sheesh. Two new axles and bearings. Cha-ching Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WHX?? 48,834 #5 Posted January 3, 2021 Just throwing this out here but are the transmission outer supports not damaged that they wil not accept the bearings? I use and many others do use the Koyos with no issues. That said I doubt it would be a bearing failure but some other problem. The bearings should be a fairly tight fit in the housing . I am guilty many times of just tapping them in as you mentioned with just a a socket but have since learned the errors of my ways. Forget what you read about Sears transaxles , they were meant to last ten years, horses a lifetime. The Koyos should only run you less than twenty the axles can only come from a donor. That's wher the cha ching might come in. If the bearing needles fall out like you described with a new bearing it can only mean the cage has been damaged or a bad axle chewing them up. Or a defective bearing which I guess is not impossible. Grease the snot out of new bearings when installing and make sure old or replacement axles do not have any burrs on them that could chew up a new bearing. 2 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
953 nut 55,329 #6 Posted January 3, 2021 9 hours ago, TractorChild97 said: replacing the needle bearings with the same size bronze bushings. I know that other transaxles have them. Some of the real cheap throwaway junk riding mowers run bushings where bearing should be. 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 67,696 #7 Posted January 3, 2021 @WHX24 Jim ole Buddy I think you may need a second or eighteenth cup of coffee. The very first line states the axles are no good. Bad axle + new bearing = bad bearing. Bad axle + new bushing = bad bushing. @TractorChild97 The only real remedy is to split the transmission and install good used axles. Throw an ad in the Redsquare classified and maybe someone has a set at a better price. 2 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stevasaurus 22,767 #8 Posted January 7, 2021 Unless I am missing something...how about we find out what horse you have. How about some pictures. It sounds like you need to open this. Let's see those axles. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WHX?? 48,834 #9 Posted January 7, 2021 56 minutes ago, stevasaurus said: How about some pictures. It sounds like you need to open this. Let's see those axles. Geez Dino sounds like yer addicted to red transmission porn! We ever get over this covids bs and you can travel the gang and I here is gonna have a transmission opening & rebuilding fest for ya at the J C ranch! Maybe even some wine tasting and hard water fishing thrown in! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lane Ranger 10,968 #10 Posted January 7, 2021 Look for a replacement transmission ! It might be tons easier and dollars cheaper! $50 to $125 for a good transmission! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
